Final answer:
Syphilis is an example of a general infection that affects multiple systems in the body. It is caused by the gram-negative spirochete Treponema pallidum and progresses through three stages: primary, secondary, and tertiary. Symptoms can include skin rashes, sores, fever, and damage to internal organs.
Step-by-step explanation:
Syphilis is an example of a general infection that affects multiple systems in the body. It is caused by the gram-negative spirochete Treponema pallidum and can progress through three stages: primary, secondary, and tertiary. In the primary stage, a painless sore called a chancre appears at the site of infection. In the secondary stage, the bacteria spread throughout the body, causing skin rashes, sores, fever, and swollen lymph glands. In the tertiary stage, the disease can infect and damage organs such as the brain, heart, liver, or bones. Symptoms of tertiary syphilis include paralysis, blindness, seizures, and dementia.